Line-Up of Riders for 2026 World Cup Finals in Fort Worth Known

Dressage

U.S.A.

- Text © Eurodressage - Photos © Astrid Appels - Dirk Caremans

After a massive wave of riders declining to compete in the 2026 World Cup Finals i the FEI drafted the final line-up of combinations that will compete in Fort Worth, Texas.

Filling in the Gaps

Particularly in the Western European League, a string of big name riders declined the opportunity to compete in Texas as they choose to focus on the World Championships in Aachen this summer. This left many spots to be filled.

Initially the FEI had to go down the Western European League ranking to fill in the gaps, followed by the procedure of allocating not one but two "extra starting places" as title defender Charlotte Fry also declined to go as well.

Not going for the Western European league are the top two WEL ranked riders: Justin Verboomen, and Larissa Pauluis. Also nr 5 declined, Isabell Werth, as well as nr 6, Marieke van der Putten. Nr 11 declined too, Fie Skarsoe, which opened the door for Moritz Treffinger and Alexa Fairchild to accept.

No Title Definder, Two Extra Starting Places

The two extra starting places were filled by Ecuadorean Julio Mendoza Loord and Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin, who accepted the extra starting place despite being ranked 25th on the WEL ranking.

The extra starting places are not allocated according to the WEL ranking but by a special set of rules. Mendoza got his starting place through rule 16.8.c: A permanently domiciled non-league Athlete who qualifies in the League where they are domiciled (max one (1) Extra Starting place). Mendoza is based in the U.S.A. and rode the CDI-W's in Mexico and Wellington.

For Charlotte Dujardin's spot rule 16.8.d was applied: the combination with the highest ranking on the February list of the current year FEI Dressage World Ranking List (DWRL), and who have participated in at least two (2) CDI-W qualifiers.

Test of Fire for Dujardin

Fry at the CDI-W Den Bosch. She and
Glamourdale won't be defending their title in Texas

For Dujardin it will be a test of fire as the fallen angel of British Dressage recently returned to competition after a year of suspension for animal abuse. Less than half a year since her return she again faced much criticism on her pressurized riding style in the warm-up of the CDI-W Amsterdam.

Neither British Dressage, nor the FEI stewards properly intervened on the scene in Amsterdam and the posting of the warm-up video on social media led to the mainstream press jumping on the hot topic. With an in-depth article in The Times general media further gained traction to discredit equestrian sport and question the British Lottery funded World Class programme, while within the sport a lackadaiscal attitude of accepting riding under pressure (at public) competitions exists and no self-correction is set in motion.

The Line-Up for the 2026 WC Finals

The final line-up of riders includes:

Western European League (9 Slots).

1 Patrik Kittel - Touchdown (SWE)
2 Raphael Netz - Great Escape Camelot (GER)
3 Becky Moody - Jagerbomb (GBR)
4 Thamar Zweistra - Kingsdale (NED)
5 Morgan Barbançon - Sir Donnerhall II (FRA)
6 Carina Cassoe Kruth - Heiline's Danciera (DEN)
7 Bettina Kendlbacher - Broadmoars Don Alfredo (AUT)
8 Alexa Fairchild - Fairplay (BEL)
9 Moritz Treffinger - Fiderdance (GER)

Central European League (2 Slots).

1 Sandra Sysojeva - Maxima Bella (POL)
2 Justine Vanagaite - Nabab (LTU)

Pacific League (1 Slot).

1 Serena Ireland - Royalty R (AUS)

North American League (3 Slots).

1 Christian Simonson - Indian Rock (USA)
2 Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu - Jaccardo (CAN)
3 Kevin Kohmann - Dünensee (USA)

Non-league NFs (1 Slot).

1 Yessin Rahmouni - Kind of Magic (MOR)

Title Defender (1 Slot).

FEI Extra Starting Place(S) (2 Slots instead of 1 as there is no title defender).

1 Julio Mendoza Loor - Jewel's Goldstrike (ECU)
2. Charlotte Dujardin - Alive and Kicking (GBR)